8.2
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $300
- Average Mileage:
- 80,750 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 65 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (24 reports)
- replace ignition (13 reports)
- hammer to key while turning it (10 reports)
- drill out and replace lock cylinder (8 reports)
- buy a new keylock (2 reports)
- 3-n-1 oil on key and a tap worked! (1 reports)
key will not turn in ignition to start car
This is totally random. when inserting the key in the ignition, the key will not turn, so the car won't start.
- Steve E., Roswell, GA, US
This situation is reported as a concern 100's of time in the internet. Why has Ford has done nothing about it.
- Gustavo R., Miami, FL, US
A little over a week ago, my key began sticking in the ignition and I would have trouble starting the car. I wiggled and tapped on the key to get it to start. However when I woke up to go to work on a Monday morning, no matter what I did the key would not turn. To add insult to injury, I was to have the problem fixed that day. Now, having missed a day of work. I was forced to either try to fix the car myself with the help of Youtube (no help from Ford, who I called regarding the problem only to be told they had never heard of it happening and I would have to take it to a dealer to have it fixed. Also that they could not cut me a new key because of the age of the vehicle).
I ended up drilling into the barrel and removing the pin so I could turn the key which had to be done to change the barrel. The whole experience has turned me off Ford almost completely. I was born and raised with Ford, and between this issue and the fact that I was replacing a wheel bearing every year I am done with them. I mean come on, why would there only be records of keys dating back 10 years? Do they really only plan on the vehicles being usable for that long? I am lucky my girlfriend wasn't using the car, she could have ended up stranded somewhere, and in a Canadian winter that is unacceptable. Get your sh*t together Ford and own up to fixing this problem.
- stevenon, Hamilton, ON, canada
Same problem as many other Fords, key won't turn ignition or key gets stuck. Should be recalled.
- Michael K., Wakefield, MA, US
My key ignition has been freezing and is becoming more difficult to turn.
- Cathleen M., San Francisco, CA, US
NEVER EVER BUY from ford!! That's all I can say. This is the worst manufacturer I've ever seen. I've had countless issues with my key getting stuck in the ignition and ford has known about this issue and refused to do anything about it. The wheel will lock up and the key won't turn. You literally have to bang the crap outta it forever to get it to start. Ford knows about this issues and refuses to fix..to make matters worse if you go to dealership to have it fixed they will give you the same damn ignition causing the same problem. They call it repeat business. Ford is a dishonest corrupt company I recommend never dealing with them. Spend the extra money to get a honda or Toyota ..hell even Chevy will fix sh*t. Ford is TERRIBLE!
- Bethany T., Sacramento, CA, US
I drove to work no problem, went on brake and car started up fine. went to get lunch and returned back to work, parked the car. and after work was over the steering wheel is locked. moved it to the right and the key would not turn what so ever.. I really think there should be a recall about this problem and ford can stop ripping off their customers to have us repair the ignition and new keys and pay the fees for towing the vehicle..
- Amanda F., WARWICK, RI, US
MY DAUGHTER WAS STUCK AT 11:30 AT NIGHT BY HERSELF AND HER KEY WOULDN'T TURN TO START HER CAR.. SHE IS A STUDENT AND JUST MOVED TO VEGAS WITH NO FAMILY HERE... HAD TO WAIT TILL 12:00AM FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO FORD WHICH ENDED UP COSTING MY A F@CKING $425.00 THAT I DIDN'T HAVE!!!!! IVE READ ONLINE THAT FORDS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND I'M DISGUSTED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART.. THERE'S NO REASON WHY AN IGNITION CYLINODE SHOULD BE GOING OUT IN A 2004 CAR... I WOULD'VE BEEN PISSED IF SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED TO MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE THAT YOU GUYS CANT SEEM TO FIX.. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS!!!! I'M PISSED THE F%CK OFF!!!
- Alphonso B., tulare ca, -- Please Select --, US
Ford needs to do a recall on this problem. I have found several Focus owners that have had the same problem
- Richard S., Frankfort, KY, US
I read this site. Than I called triple A....Had a new ignition in and problem fixed in two hours. 265.00 total cost 100.00 covered by AAA.
Fix the issue and move on. Happy kids, happy dad, happy outcome. (minus a few $)
- Kevin C., Rancho Cucamonga, CA, US
Putting the key in the ignition and it wouldn't turn over,so someone told me to bang the key in the ignition with a hammer ,that worked for awhile but had to have the ignition replaced at 300.00 .I heard a lot of complaints about this so Ford get your act together and stop ripping people off.
- wurtnil1, Cambridge, NS, canada
The problem comes out of the blue and caused panic in both my daughter and I because it happened to both of us. Thankfully, we were able to get it to start and get it home. I looked it up and see it is a faulty part and am glad I didn't call the dealer. I don't have money for this repair! I am probably going to go the locksmith route, but it sounds like it may only be a temporary fix! So much for dependability huh? I'm not in a position to sell the car or buy a new one and we already share vehicles, so doing without isn't an option either! I hate not being able to do simple fixes myself, but I can't handle opening up the steering column and risking getting it apart and not being able to fix it!
- Patti P., Northfield, NJ, US
Just out of the blue the ignition wont turn and of course it was when my wife was gonna take our 2 year old to an important doctor app. I'm just thankful it happened at home not someplace else. I will NEVER buy another ford again. problems started at 20,000 miles just after the warranty expired. Its just living up to the famous reputation of "found on road dead" "f,ed over rebuilt dodge"
- brian5716, Poulsbo, WA, US
ignition lock won't turn with key. Known problem by Ford that they do not correct yet costs a lot of money to have repaired.
- Thomas S., Amherst, NY, US
The ignition lock problem affects a lot of Focus owners. But the part is not on recall. I don't know how much its going to cost for something Ford knows is a problem. The dealer said he'd give me the price when the work is done on Monday, 7-16-12. Meanwhile, i filed a claim with the insurance company.
- Carlos S., Reading, PA, US
this should be a recall item, too many focus owners have the same problem
- David S., Ft. Laudrdale, FL, US
Daughter's ZX3. Parked in WalMart pking lot in not so good section of town. Got in car to leave. Absolutely could not turn key over in ignition. This is the second ZX3 we have had this to occur on. Knew fix cost to be approx $300.00. was determined not to pay that again. Left car on lot overnight. Worried. Read these posts for a second time. Decided to try one more time b4 calling locksmith. Took 3-N-1 oil and a screwdriver. Put a good amt of 3-n-1 on key. Put in ignition. Jiggled, attempted to turn, etc. No luck. Waited a min (for oil to lube tumbler) then gave a firm tap to end of key (while in ignition). Turned key, Holy crap! It worked. This process didn't work w/ our first ZX3. Major headache and cost on that one (locksmith screwed up steering wheel).
- A G., Pickerington, OH, US
My wife attempted to start her car but the steering wheel locked and the key would not turn. She called the dealer who advised it probably was the "tumbler". on advice of a tow truck driver who didn't want to move the vehicle she called a locksmith. Meanwhile I ruled out the fuse. Locksmith arrived fully aware of the problem. He quickly removed the ignition switch (tumbler), removed the "bar" which has two tiny springs that push it up. The springs fail, bar stays up, switch will not turn. Removing the bar does not affect security as the key has a chip which is the only key that can start the car. Locksmith showed that a flat blade screw driver would not work as well as a Ford key from another vehicle. Repair took barely a half hour. Definite malfunctioning part but removing the bar is a better repair than installing a new ignition switch with the same inherent problem. use a locksmith (mobile) though. They know what to do with the right tools.
- Bob B., Old Chatham, NY, US
Drove all over the county the night before - no problems, no hint of what was to come...
Next morning, climbed into my car and spent the next 15 minutes beating on the steering wheel, jiggling the keys until my fingers just plain hurt, etc... Gave up, went back inside and stole my husbands car for the day. (Thank God he was out of town on business, right?!) Came home later and continued the good fight in anticipation of my brother (who's a mechanic) stopping by and putting me to shame in 15 seconds of climbing in to my car and starting it right up. HA! Never happened. He tried and tried and tried. I asked him to climb out and let me try something. I climbed back in and smacked the key, HARD. It worked. Fired right up. Every time we take the key out of the ignition, we have to slap it really hard again to get it to work (else it just wont' turn). Brother took it home to his shop to tear it apart and see what can be done. Everything on the internet suggests that a ignition replacement is in order. Not looking forward to paying 4-500$ for this repair. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE!!
- hmartin, Oberlin, OH, US
Key will not start ignition. Can't drive it anymore. There is no locksmith in my small town. Dealership wants $500 to repair. This should be a Ford recall. Very unsafe. The car is unusable to me now. I am retired and on social security and find the price of this repair to be over my budget. I am so frustrated.
- mamma41, Winnemucca, US